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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

Winter Running Guide

If you want to take your running outdoors this winter, I’ve assembled 5 essential pieces of gear and a what to wear guide, so that you can dress yourself and prepare for cold weather running.

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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

Summer Running Guide

Have you found yourself struggling through your run the last few days or weeks because of the heat and humidity out there? Check out the Mindful Marathon Summer Running Guide to help stay as cool as possible while running, to stay safe in the heat, and to stay patient with running goals as the body adapts to running in the heat.

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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

5 Steps to Tackle your First Race

There were a lot of things that held me back from registering for a race for the first time. Fear, doubt, and nervousness can keep new runners from ever stepping up to a start line. Here are 5 steps to help in tackling your first race!

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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

What is the Flexitarian Diet?

Guest writer Ann Kent, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, explains the basics of a “Flexitarian” eating pattern, which offers a way to reduce meat and animal protein for a more eco-friendly diet without becoming vegetarian or vegan.

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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

5 Reasons to Run a Virtual 5k

Have you always wanted to run a 5k, but for one reason or another, keep putting off that goal? A virtual race can offer a point of entry, even for those with a lot of doubts about running. Here are 5 reasons to run a virtual 5k!

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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

How To Get Started Running

Want to learn how to get started running? All runners have to start somewhere. Here are three helpful strategies to get going on the right foot!

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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

Common Running Lies That Hold Us Back

Here are my top five lies that hold us back from running our best. For many years, I told myself that I was not a “real runner,” because I wasn’t very fast, walked sometimes, and didn’t think I looked like the other runners out there. From one runner to another, let’s recognize these stories we tell ourselves, so we can move beyond them!

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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

How to Fit Running into a Busy Life

We all lead busy lives. There is never going to be a time when there is more time. So, let’s work with what we’ve got! Here are five practical strategies to fit running into a busy life.

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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

10 Reasons You Need A Running Coach

One size fits all running plans and apps that attempt to customize training plans can’t replace a running coach who can look us in the eyes, ring us up on the phone, and support us on our running journey. Here are 10 reasons why you need a running coach!

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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

20 Tips to Start Running

If you find yourself wanting to start running, I recommend these 20 tips to set yourself up for success! I remember what it was like to feel discouraged and stuck when I started out, simply because I didn’t go about it in the right way. Instead, let’s get you started on the right foot!

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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

Running by Feel: an exercise in observation without judgement

In this type of workout, one runs by effort, rather than by looking at the pace on the clock, watch, or phone. Also called intuitive pacing, this technique can help runners to understand what a certain pace feels like. Running by feel only calls for us to be honest with ourselves and to acknowledge where our current fitness is. Running by feel can be an exercise in observation without judgement.

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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

The Body Scan - a tool to run mindfully

Sometimes, I have to force myself to look away from the numbers, the math, the pace and distance on my watch...and just run. This week, we discuss a tool to help us run mindfully: the body scan.

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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

Build That Base

If you are new to running, are coming back from an injury, or are coming out of a tough training cycle, this is a great time to work on building our running base! This week’s post is dedicated to some important info on Base Training.

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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

The Perfect Post-Run Smoothie

As we enter some warmer spring weather, I’ve found myself looking forward to and enjoying a post-run fruit smoothie. A recipe, and some smoothie tips and tricks, are inside this week’s blog. Bon appétit!

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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

Mindfully Running in the Rain

Running in the rain can be an incredibly enjoyable experience, especially if we allow some mindfulness in the process. In this week’s blog, we discuss a few tips for running in the rain.

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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

Maintain Focus

In the last few weeks, I’ve noticed that many of us have lost our running focus. How do we regain it? Let’s not ignore those little sparks in the far corners of our mind. Let’s allow those goals to tug at us and move us onward.

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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

Fueling your Run

A special guest post this week on fueling your run from Dr. Lynn Stiff, a dietitian turned family medicine physician (and avid runner)! She discusses a runner’s diet, what to do about pre-run, mid-run, and post-run nutrition, and a common statement we hear from a lot of runners, “But I’m hungry ALL the time!”

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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

Are Sneakers Your Rate Limiting Step?

For new runners, I usually recommend a proper shoe fitting at the local running store. Though we can’t quite do that at the moment, don’t let this deter you from getting out and onto the pavement. This week, we discuss some practical pandemic running sneaker advice.

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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

Point A to Point B

Many of us have a lot on our minds, and it can be very tough to stay positive. This week, we discuss how a run coach can help at this time. Getting started in the sport doesn’t have to be complex or hard. Let’s get you off and running. There is no better time to start.

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Michelle Quirk Michelle Quirk

Keep it Moving

It can be easy to hole up and stop moving given the current state of things. This week, we discuss taking back some control, so that we can keep our minds and bodies moving forward and as healthy as possible given the circumstances.

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